Team Sky’s Chris Froome remains on course to win the Tour de France for the third time in four years after clocking the fastest time in today’s short but mostly uphill individual time trial to Megeve.
Froome, as race leader the last man out on the course, was 21 seconds quicker on the 17 kilometre stage from Sallanches than Giant-Alpecin’s Tom Dumoulin, the Dutchman seeking his third stage win in this year’s race.
The third quickest rider today was Astana’s Fabio Aru, who finished the stage 33 seconds slower than Froome.
There was little to separate the two men currently occupying second and third places on the general classification.
Orica-BikeExchange’s Adam Yates finished in 16th place, 1 minute 23 seconds down on Froome but 2 seconds ahead of Trek-Segafredo’s Bauke Mollema, who remains second overall.
Afterwards, Froome said: “A big part of my success today was selecting the right equipment. When I saw the course, I thought I'd ride with the road bike but after the team analyzed it, we opted for a full TT set up. The Pinarello TT bike isn't 9kg anymore.
"The other aspect was pacing. For all those who started too fast, it was easy to get carried away. I didn't. I had some targets in my head with the numbers. I've had to adjust them more or less on the way but pretty much it went all according to the plan.
"I think I have a great advantage with two days to go. I keep the yellow jersey on my shoulders, but the next two days are really tough. The main thing for me is to stay out of trouble. I will not try to win a stage uphill.”
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I can see why people have not liked the way Froome and Sky have gone about racing before (not that I agree), but this year he's not just been the best, but also by far the most exciting rider of the tour.
The more I learn about Froome, the more I like him. I met Ritchie Porte briefly at the cycle show last year and he was genuinely funny and a really good bloke. Would love to see a Froome/Porte/Yates podium.
Poor tailor or not, the guy is a monster.
Nads on the top tube at 80kph, running up Ventoux, and smashing everyone on an "untrendy" TT bike on an uphill time trial. Chapeau indeed.
I'm pretty sure they have custom-fit yellow skinsuits for the top riders.
Froome's would have fit him fine.
If he was pregnant.
Massive battle still going on for a podium spot so I can imagine attacks galore tomorrow
Well that must have put out any fires rivals had. Will anyone even bother going for it now?
Should have got one of the normal team sky ones made in yellow with all the official logos on.
Not sure that's allowed, believe it has to be from the clothing sponsor.
Froome's an absolute monster. If you weren't a fan before, this Tour has to change your mind. Yes he has the best team, but he earns that so easily.
Still, felt bad for him having to wear the Le Coq 'Primark-fit' suit today when the other riders are out in the latest aero kit.
+1.
ITV had Jens Voight on set with Gary for analysis instead of Chris Boardman. He made an impassioned request for people to see Froome as the great rider and character that he is. It did prompt me to wonder why people seem so antagonised by him. Admittedly, Sky is the strongest team but it has invariably been the case that the best riders end up in the strongest teams.